Collision of Verdicts

The Calm Before the Storm

The sun had barely risen, its golden light spilling over the horizon, when the sleek white BMW glided into the courthouse parking lot. The car’s smooth engine hummed, barely making a sound as it stopped with a quiet precision, like a work of art finally taking its place in the world.

The door opened, and the first thing that caught everyone’s attention was not the car itself, but the figure stepping out of it. Taehyung.

His steps were graceful, almost ethereal, like an anime character brought to life. His delicate features glowed under the soft light, each movement as fluid as a painting in motion. He was more beautiful than any woman in the room—no one could deny that. The crowd, who had been minding their business, suddenly stopped in their tracks, their eyes following him as if he were the center of the universe.

His smile, soft and warm, could melt the hardest of hearts. People found themselves instinctively drawn to him, as if his mere presence could soothe any pain. His aura wasn’t just about beauty; it was the kindness in his gaze, the quiet calm that surrounded him like a protective shield. Even as he walked toward the courthouse steps, it was impossible to ignore the fact that he seemed like a celestial being.

"Here he is," whispered a woman from the crowd, awestruck by his appearance. "I heard he was beautiful, but this—this is something else."

Taehyung didn’t seem to notice the whispers. His demeanor remained calm and composed as he walked toward the courthouse doors, followed closely by his team: his legal assistant, Kim Jisoo, who was carrying a briefcase, and his junior attorney, Choi Yeonjun, a young man with wide eyes and a slight nervousness in his posture.

"Taehyung, are you ready for this?" Jisoo asked softly, her voice carrying an air of care and concern.

Taehyung gave her a warm, reassuring smile. "I am, Jisoo. We’re here to seek justice, and I have no doubt we will."

Yeonjun, walking slightly behind, looked up at Taehyung in awe. "You always make it look so easy. How do you stay so calm?"

Taehyung glanced back at him, his smile never faltering. "It’s not about calmness, Yeonjun. It’s about knowing what’s right. Once you know that, everything else falls into place."

Before entering the courtroom, Taehyung paused for a moment, his eyes closing as he silently offered a prayer. His lips moved ever so slightly, a quiet plea to the angels above, asking for strength and wisdom. It was a routine he always followed before any case, a way to center himself before stepping into the battleground that was the courtroom.

With his prayer complete, he opened his eyes, a serene determination now in his gaze. The door to the courtroom opened, and the team stepped inside, immediately catching the attention of everyone present.

The opposing side, Han Yeobin, had already arrived. Yeobin was a sharp, no-nonsense attorney, known for his aggressive and calculating nature. He stood tall at the front, speaking to his client, a middle-aged man who was being accused of secretly installing a camera in his tenant's living room without her knowledge. The camera had been discovered by the young tenant, a 21-year-old named Mia, who had filed the lawsuit against her landlord.

Yeobin looked up as Taehyung entered the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ah, the ‘angel’ himself," Yeobin muttered under his breath, clearly unimpressed. He was used to dealing with lawyers who fought dirty, and Taehyung's ethereal aura and gentle demeanor seemed like a facade to him. He didn’t know that behind that soft smile was a razor-sharp mind that could tear apart any argument.

Taehyung, unaffected by Yeobin’s words, made his way to his table, his every step deliberate and poised. As he sat down, the room seemed to hush. Everyone was anticipating what would come next.

The judge, an older woman with a stern gaze, called the court to order. "Let’s begin," she said, her voice echoing in the room. "The case of Mia versus her landlord will proceed. Mr. Taehyung, you may begin."

Taehyung stood, his presence immediately commanding attention. His voice, though soft, was sharp and filled with an unshakable confidence. "Your Honor," he began, his eyes scanning the room before locking on the judge, "I stand here today on behalf of a young woman who has been violated in a manner unimaginable. The actions of her landlord, the defendant, have put her in a position where her privacy has been stripped away from her without her consent. This is not just a breach of trust; it is a violation of her human rights."

Mia, the young woman who had filed the case, sat in the front row, her eyes welling with tears. She had been too afraid to speak out before, but now, with Taehyung’s calm demeanor and unwavering conviction, she felt a sense of security she hadn’t felt in a long time. Taehyung’s words felt like a shield around her, protecting her from the storm of lies that the opposing side would inevitably try to spin.

Yeobin stood up, immediately interrupting. "Your Honor, this is a simple misunderstanding. The camera was installed for security purposes, not to violate anyone’s privacy. The defendant did nothing wrong—"

"Objection," Taehyung interrupted, his voice like a soft command. "The defendant’s claim is absurd, Mr. Yeobin. You cannot justify illegal surveillance under the guise of 'security.' It is a violation of Mia’s basic right to privacy. The law is clear on this matter, and the defendant’s actions speak for themselves."

The tension in the room began to rise. Yeobin’s face reddened with frustration. "This is nonsense! The camera was placed to ensure the safety of the property! You’re twisting my words, Taehyung!"

Taehyung’s gaze remained unshaken. "I’m not twisting anything. The truth is clear, Mr. Yeobin. You can’t hide behind excuses. Your client violated the trust of a young woman, and now he will answer for it."

As Taehyung spoke, his voice remained steady, but the authority in it was undeniable. The jury and everyone in the courtroom hung on to his every word. The contrast between Taehyung’s calm, collected demeanor and Yeobin’s flustered frustration was striking. It was clear who was in control of the situation.

Mia, her voice shaky, finally stood up and spoke. "I never knew that camera was there. I thought I was safe in my own home. I... I didn’t know someone could do this to me. I’m scared now." Her words broke the silence, and the courtroom collectively held its breath.

Taehyung turned toward her, his eyes filled with empathy. "You are safe now, Mia. And I promise you, I will not let this man or anyone like him take away your peace of mind again." His words, so gentle yet firm, were like a balm to her wounded spirit.

Yeobin scoffed, but Taehyung didn’t even look his way. Instead, he addressed the judge. "Your Honor, the law does not protect those who seek to manipulate, control, or invade the privacy of others. The defendant’s actions were not just immoral—they were illegal. And as such, we ask for a ruling in favor of the plaintiff, Mia."

The courtroom was electric with anticipation. For a moment, it seemed like everything had gone still. The judge sat back in her chair, her fingers steepled in thought. Finally, after a long pause, she spoke.

"After hearing both sides, I find in favor of the plaintiff, Mia. The defendant is ordered to pay for the emotional damages caused, and the surveillance equipment must be removed immediately. Furthermore, the defendant is to pay for any costs related to this lawsuit."

A wave of relief washed over Mia, her shoulders sagging as the tension that had gripped her body released. She looked at Taehyung, her savior, with tears in her eyes. He offered her a smile, one that said more than words ever could. He had done it. Justice had been served.

As Taehyung gathered his things, he noticed the house owner's daughter sitting in the back of the courtroom. She was staring at him, mesmerized by his elegance, by the way he had handled the case. There was a certain respect in her eyes, and perhaps even something more.

But Taehyung didn’t notice. His focus was on Mia, who was now standing taller, a sense of peace settling in her heart.

"You’re free now, Mia," he whispered, his voice barely audible, but carrying all the weight of his compassion.

And as he left the courtroom, the crowd watched in awe, the feeling that they had just witnessed something extraordinary hanging in the air.